Norbert Elias ( An Essay on Time ) writes that “for a long time . . . there were, even within one and the same state, traditional local diversities with regard to the beginning of a year, and thus to its end. As far as one can see, it was Charles IX, king of France, who, after some discussion, decided in 1563 to impose on French society a uniform date for the beginning of the year, setting it at 1 January. His edict, put into practice in 1566, broke with a more or less official tradition which linked the beginnings of the year to the Easter festival. Accordingly, the year 1566, beginning on 14 April and ending on 31 December, had only eight months and 17 days . . . . At the time this change aroused strong opposition.”
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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